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Maxi rejects move claims

By Patricio Figueroa

Barcelona striker Maxi Lopez has dismissed claims he will be farmed out on loan.

Barcelona striker Maxi Lopez has dismissed claims he will be farmed out on loan by the Catalan giants this term.

The Argentine hit-man joined Barca from River Plate during last season's January transfer window in a é¼5.5 million deal.

Although he raised hopes with a well-taken goal during the first leg of Barca's UEFA Champions League defeat to Chelsea, it proved his only&nbsp;strike of the season as he struggled to adapt.

Some reports have now suggested Barca will loan the 21-year-old out to accrue some experience with Benfica thought to be keen on his services.

However, Lopez insists he will not be departing Camp Nou and hopes to play a full role in Barca's title defence this term.

"Since I went away on holiday and until I came back, Frank Rijkaard has always said the same thing to me, to train hard and fully recover from the injury that troubled me at the end of last season," he stated.

"I am going to work very hard and fight for a place in the team like all my team-mates do.

"I heard some rumours when I was in Argentina and I must say that I was surprised, but I really don't pay attention to those things.

"I only have one thought in my mind and that is to have success at Barcelona. I am fully focused on my pre-season work."